Glastonbury goes Sugababes mad! Festival compelled to shut off entry
A jam-packed crowd all hoping to see the Sugababes forced security to shut down entry to a stage at Glastonbury.
The West Holts stage, which has capacity for 35,000 people, had to operate a ‘one in one out’ system to avoid a crush as fans arrived to watch the Sugababes.
The English girl group performed at Glastonbury in 2022 on the smaller Avalon Stage which has a capacity of 3,000 – but police restricted entry to the gig to stop more people arriving.
Sensibly this year the Sugababes were given an upgrade to the open air stage West Holts, but once again, they proved to be more popular than Glastonbury organisers imagined.
Perhaps Glastonbury-goers are looking for a sense of nostalgia in the Sugababe’s hits such as Push The Button and Overload?
Siobhán Donaghy (left), Mutya Buena (centre) and Keisha Buchanan (right) performing as part of the Sugababes
A jam-packed crowd at Glastonbury’s West Holt stage ahead of the Sugababes
Whatever the case, next time Glastonbury bosses might allow the pop group to grace the iconic Pyramid Stage – which can hold a staggering 120,000 people.
One music fan tweeted: ‘Never seen a crowd like Sugababe at West Holts today. Was there in 2022 when they closed Avalon and same thing happened today. Not sure I’ll see a better show this weekend. Pyramid stage surely next…’
Around 20 minutes before the Sugababes arrived onstage at 5pm on Friday, stewards had stopped fans entering from certain directions to prevent the field from becoming too full.
Among those without a view of the stage was six-year-old Elska – who went viral for declaring live on BBC Breakfast that she had a secret boyfriend.
The cheeky little girl was readying herself to see Sugababes – her mum’s favourite band – but had been held at a gate near Babylon Rising due to risk of overcrowding.
As the gig began, the jam-packed crowd screamed along to Freak Like Me and various Sugagbabes hits from the noughties.
Halfway through the much-anticipated set, Elska and her mum Raagan made it through the barrier – although dad Vaughan was abandoned with the family’s camping trolley.
Speaking of gig and the jam-packed crowd, singer Mutya Buena told the BBC: ‘Looking at it now, it’s very emotional. We’ve had such a blessed time.
Fellow Sugababe Siobhán Donaghy said: ‘There is an amazing energy here. And you know you’re going to get a good crowd.’
Formerly known as the Jazz World Stage, West Holts stage is known for hosting an eclectic mix of music.
The open-air stage first appeared in 2010 and has hosted the likes of Jacob Collier, Jessie Ware and Jorja Smith.
TLC, known for hits such as No Scrubs and Waterfalls, played the West Holts stage in 2022.
Glastonbury’s iconic Pyramid Stage (pictured) – which can hold a staggering 120,000 people
An aerial view of the Pyramid Stage at this year’s festival
Thousands have camped out to see artists such as Dua Lipa and Coldplay
The festival takes place on Worthy Farm in Somerset
This year, Worthy Farm is heaving as the music extravaganza kicked into overdrive for real ahead of tonight’s headline act, Dua Lipa.
Rock megastars Coldplay will be headlining the Pyramid Stage on Saturday evening with R&B singer SZA leading the show on Sunday.
Meanwhile, country pop icon Shania Twain has taken the coveted Legends slot on Sunday and is expected to pull a massive crowd.
Today Olivia Dean was among the first to step onto Glastonbury’s Pyramid stage this afternoon.
The 25-year-old was met with rapturous applause after dedicating a song to her grandmother and other members of the Windrush generation during her Glastonbury set.
The singer, who was wearing a T-shirt with her grandmother’s face on it, said: ‘She came to this country when she was 18, never been on a plane… she had my mum quite young, my mum had me and I’m a product of her bravery.’
She added: ‘And if you’re watching at home granny “hi!'”
The Glastonbury Party has kicked off as 200,000 revellers brace themselves for three days of music mayhem
This woman appeared in high spirits as she watched Olivia Dean performing on the Pyramid Stage from atop someone’s shoulders
Olivia Dean was among the first to perform on the Pyramid Stage during Friday’s action
The 25-year-old, who grew up in north London, has previously collaborated with the likes of drum and bass megastars Rudimental and she is a Chanel ambassador
Huge crowds packed into the Pyramid stage to watch the first opening acts of the day
Thousands of people have helped kicked the party into overdrive, with some dressing up for the occasion
Although this punk fan might be at the wrong festival – with Green Day set to perform in London tomorrow afternoon at Wembley…
DJ legend Annie Mak helped kick-off the party with an hour-long set of dance classics at the festival’s second biggest stage.
But the Irish star’s set was almost overshadowed by a grump-looking baby called Finlay.
The 10-week-old infant and his dour face was beamed onto Mac’s huge TV screens, with the little lad becoming part of a smash hit.
Wearing his striped one-piece pyjamas and ear protectors, Finlay was met with a rapturous reception from atop his father Tom Kay’s shoulders as special effects on stage saw his image turn into a hallucinatory dance visual.
‘Oh my god, this baby, what a little legend,’ Mac said to the crowd of thousands as Finlay appeared again.
She signed off her performance by thanking ‘everyone, Glastonbury and this baby’.
Finlay’s parents insisted the youngster loved the music and have now said they will play his moment of techno fame on his wedding day.
Huge crowds are seen watching Seventeen perform on the Pyramid stage on Friday
Adorable baby Finlay was met with cheers as he appeared on the big screen multiple times while Irish DJ Mac opened Worthy Farm’s second biggest stage
Wearing his striped one-piece pyjamas and ear protectors, the little lad was met with a rapturous reception from atop his father Tom Kay’s shoulders as special effects on stage saw his image turn into a hallucinatory dance visual
Finlay was turned into a hallucinatory dance visual during Annie Mac’s gig on Friday
Finlay attended the show with his parents Tom, 39, and Rosie, 35, and big sister Sophie, 10
Finlay’s father Mr Kay, a 39-year-old accountant, said ‘(Finlay) was loving the music, so we thought we’d put him on my shoulders, he was just enjoying the vibes and then was on the big screen and got a big cheer – it’s amazing.
‘Some people around us have sent us a video of it… it’s great to think (Mac) noticed.’
Finlay’s mother Rosie Lewis, a 35-year-old originally from Edinburgh, said the video will probably be played at his wedding and 18th and 21st birthdays in years to come.
